I sit here on 29 October, the morning after the Saint Louis Cardinals captured their 11th World Championship, not tired, but sad. Bittersweet to be precise.
FINAL Update on MLB’s Most Over and Underrated Players
October 3, 2011 By 2 Comments
Way back in February, USA Today’s 2011 MLB Preview Magazine published a lengthy piece by yours truly, whereupon I rendered my thoughts on who the most over and underrated players in the game were as we approached the new campaign.
Throughout 2011, I posted monthly updates on these “predictions,” so as to capriciously praise or condemn myself. Today, on the 1st of October with the playoffs upon us, I offer the final “results.”
Philadelphia Phillies v St. Louis Cardinals NLDS Preview: Analysis, TV Schedule, and Pitching Matchups
October 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Lost in all the hoopla of the Red Sox losing a 9-game lead to the Rays was the Cardinals overcoming an 8.5 game deficit to the Atlanta Braves. It was not long ago that the Cardinals seemed to have no shot at the postseason. Just ask Nyjer Morgan back on September 7th:
“Where still n 1st and I hope those crying birds injoy watching tha Crew in tha Playoffs!!! Aaaaahhhhh!!!”
I can’t be the only person who wouldn’t mind seeing the Brewers have to get through the Cardinals setting up a Morgan vs. Pujols confrontation.
TV Schedule and Pitching Matchups for “Epic” Final Day of MLB Regular Season and Potential Play-In Games
September 28, 2011 By 1 Comment
Major League Baseball has a slogan: “Always Epic”. But America’s Pastime, certainly the final days of its regular season, are certainly not always this epic.
ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian ignores Philadelphia Phillies’ offensive weaknesses?
September 5, 2011 By 2 Comments
During my long ride back from KC last night, ESPN radio had Tim Kurkjian on discussing the upcoming playoffs.
In my view, Tim’s one of the few bright minds left at ESPN, so I was disappointed in his response when they asked him the cliché “Can anyone beat the Phillies” question, and he basically gave the cliché answer of “I don’t think so.”
Update on MLB’s Most Over and Underrated Players
August 19, 2011 By 2 Comments
Way back in February, USA Today’s 2011 MLB Preview Magazine published a lengthy piece by yours truly, whereupon I rendered my thoughts on who the most over and underrated players in the game were as we approached the new campaign.
I figured I might as well do monthly updates on these “predictions,” so as to capriciously praise or condemn myself.
All-Star Break Update on MLB’s Most Over and Underrated Players
July 12, 2011 By 5 Comments
Way back in February, USA Today’s 2011 MLB Preview Magazine published a lengthy piece by yours truly, whereupon I rendered my thoughts on who the most over and underrated players in the game were as we approached the new campaign.
I figured I might as well do occasional updates — especially here at midseason — on these “predictions,” so as to capriciously praise or condemn myself.
Update on Baseball’s Over/Underrated players
April 29, 2011 By 3 Comments
Back in February, USA Today’s 2011 MLB Preview Magazine published a lengthy piece by yours truly, whereupon I rendered my thoughts on who the most over and underrated players in the game were as we approached the new campaign.
I figured I might as well do a monthly update on these “predictions,” so as to capriciously praise or condemn myself.
MLB 2011 Predictions: AL West — Rangers look to be top club again
March 30, 2011 By 2 Comments
The Texas Rangers won the West in 2010 with a record of 90-72, finishing nine games ahead of the Athletics. They then proceeded to upset the Rays and the Yankees on their way to the World Series, where they eventually lost to the San Francisco Giants.
In this post, the final in our division-by-division MLB predictions, we analyze whether the Rangers can repeat, or whether the A’s, Angels, or Mariners can rise up and knock Texas down a rung.
2011 MLB TV Schedule: 10 Best early season MLB matchups on national TV
March 29, 2011 By 4 Comments
We are roughly 48 hours from another intense, unpredictable and enjoyable Major League Baseball season.
This year, the Boys of Summer are beginning earlier than ever (the regular season will end mid-week instead of on a Sunday for the first time in eons, so who says baseball cannot adjust? They actually do moreso than any other sport), on Thursday the 31st with half a dozen games — before we’re presented with a full weekend slate.
Here are ten nationally-televised matchups to keep an eye on prior to the July All-Star Break in Phoenix:
MLB 2011 Predictions: NL East – Phillies look to live up to the hype while potential contenders in Atlanta and Florida line up behind them
March 21, 2011 By 3 Comments
Kevin Luljak will be going through all six MLB divisions and offering his outlook and prediction for each team as we prepare for Opening 2011. Today: the NL East.
The Philadelphia Phillies won the division last year with a league best 97 games, one better than the Tampa Bay Rays, and then made it to the NL Championship Series, losing to eventual World Series winner San Francisco.
This year the Phillies will look to make another run deep into the playoffs, and hope to go further, winning it all this time.
Unjustly Obscure Player of the Week: Todd Zeile
March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Todd Zeile is a “Gnarls Gnarlington.” What does that mean? I couldn’t tell you. Just add it to the plethora of things to come out of Charlie Sheen’s mouth lately that are completely staggering.
Charlie Sheen has become pop culture in the last couple weeks. He really did all the work for me in coming up with the ideal player to return with when he mentioned his three favorite sports personalities were Zeile, Reggie Jackson and Mark Cuban. He also mentioned he would like to be Brian Wilson for a few minutes (who wouldn’t want to become one with THE BEARD?), and that the Reds need more starting pitching; so he obviously isn’t that out of it.
That said, let’s take a look at the man who has beguiled Mr. Sheen so much.
Cliff Lee clearly does not want to pitch in New York City
December 15, 2010 By 5 Comments
A text comes in early yesterday morning from a Yankee fan-friend:
“I wanted Lee but I don’t think he could have handled the pressure of pitching here…”
It’s GREAT to be a Philadelphia sports fan — even if their fans won’t admit it
December 14, 2010 By 10 Comments
The most coveted free agent of this offseason chose to return to Philadelphia mainly because he loved his three months there in 2009. That’s quite a compliment to the city, the team, and their fans.
Ryan Howard treated like a king despite historic postseason struggles
October 17, 2010 By 9 Comments
Ryan Howard has struck out 21 times in his last 38 postseason at bats. That’s about as bad as it gets. In fact, it’s historically futile.
